By JESSICA GUERRERO MORELIA, Michoacán — The exact number of indigenous people in Mexico is uncertain, although, according to the last population census in 2020, it is estimated to be about 16 million. Estimates from civil organizations speak of a higher number. This population is concentrated in 56 different ethnic groups located throughout the country, creating a diverse cultural mosaic
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By JESSICA GUERRERO MORELIA, Michoacán — At least five groups of armed civilians from different indigenous communities in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas have come into being in a period of less than three months, according to state officials. These ragtag, self-proclaimed auto-defense forces in the state have claimed that their main objective is to protect their communities from organized
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By JESSICA GUERRERO MORELIA, Michoacán — In the southwest corner of Mexico’s northern state of Sonora, the remnants of one of the country’s oldest ethnic groups can still be found: the Yaqui people, who despite a tumultuous relationship with the government throughout modern Mexican history, have remained standing and constantly fighting for their land and basic human rights. The indigenous group,
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By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS Among the myriad of self-ordained unofficial titles that Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has acquired over his so-far two-and-a-half-year-term of office is that of clergy-in-chief. Indeed, it is not uncommon for the president to transition his daily political bully pulpit into a religious pulpit during his two-hour-long morning press conferences. And one of his favorite
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The Ethical Implications of Indigenous-Sourced Inspiration By KELIN DILLON “Bad artists copy, good artists steal!” Or so goes the famous quote. Much can be said about the deeper meaning of the words — to make something your own, and better, is an art in and of itself. However, when it comes to stealing designs from indigenous Mexican artisans, it isn’t
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